Posted on 07/26/2006 5:39:02 PM PDT by sionnsar
John Lankenau, the church attorney, has begun his investigation of a formal complaint against the Bishop of Connecticut, the Rt. Rev. Andrew D. Smith, according to three sources who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak on matters before the committee.
After receiving testimony from the parties to the dispute, Mr. Lankenau will report his findings to the Title IV [Disciplinary] Review Committee. If that committee determines that the canons have been broken and that the charges are serious, a presentment may be issued and an ecclesiastical trial conducted. Punishment could include deposition. Prior to a determination by the review committee, Title IV Canon 3.19 states that “the matter shall be confidential, except (i) as may be determined to be appropriate by the Ecclesiastical Authority or (ii) as necessary to seek or secure diocesan authority for resolution of the matter or any part thereof.”
Last August, 19 lay leaders and priests from the Diocese of Connecticut lodged an official complaint with the office of the Presiding Bishop, accusing Bishop Smith of undermining the structure of the Episcopal Church and denying canonical due process for the so-called “Connecticut Six” clergy and their parishes. The complaint also alleges that Bishop Smith’s removal of the lay and ordained leadership at St. John’s Church, Bristol (one of the “Connecticut Six” parishes) last summer was conducted without due regard for canonical procedure.
Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold has made a number of changes to the composition of the review committee. On July 26, the official composition of the committee had not been made public, but it is believed that it will not contain any retired bishops. The complaint against Bishop Smith will continue to be under the authority of the committee empanelled at the time that complaint was lodged. The Rt. Rev. Charles L. Keyser, an assisting bishop in the Diocese of Georgia, will remain chair of the investigation into the allegations against Bishop Smith.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. Drew Smith gives new meaning to the term "Bishopric."
Holy Smokes... I finally figured out why Bishop "Griswold" always seemed like the perfect name for the Episcopalian destroyer of morality that he is...
Griswold was the Supreme Court case that not only overturned Connecticut's ban on contraception, but created the primarily sexual definition of privacy used to force gay-anal-sex through the legal system!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.